Four American soldiers killed in separate attacks in Iraq

In a statement, the American army said that four of its soldiers were killed in three separate attacks to the west of Iraq in the past hours thereby number of American soldiers killed in Iraq increased to 14 since Saturday.

These came hours after the announcement made by the American forces that 20 of its solders were killed in the operations launched in al-Qaem area on the Syrian- Iraqi borders with the participation of some 1000 Marines against elements described by the statement as rebels and foreigners, noting that the operations are concentrated in the Desert Peninsula area.

In another statement, the American army announced rejection to the demands set by the governor of al-Anbar kidnappers Raja' Nawaf Farhan al-Mahlawi to halt the military operations in al-Qaem city for releasing him.

News reports quoted the brother of the hostage that the governor was kidnapped together with four of his guards on Tuesday on the road linking al-Qaem city with al- Ramadi.